Looking to wed in 2025? Follow our guide to the local experts that can help
Cambridge, with its historic charm, idyllic countryside and picturesque colleges, offers a dreamy backdrop for couples planning to tie the knot. Whether you’re envisioning a grand celebration in one of the city’s iconic venues or a more intimate affair by the River Cam, the journey to your perfect day starts with thoughtful planning. Here’s a step-by-step guide to take you from the moment you say ‘yes’ to the moment you say ‘I do’.
✓ Choose the perfect ring
“Choosing an engagement ring is about capturing your individuality and what’s important to you,” advises Kate Beard at Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery. “While you might fall in love with a unique, inspired piece from our collection, bespoke is our speciality. We love getting to know our couples and designing something that reflects their unique love story. Our best advice? Be open to your own imagination.”
“Don’t be afraid to propose without a ring,” says Jessica Mead at Cellini Jewellers. “You could use a promise ring, or a potential design sketched by one of our designers. That way your partner can be involved in the whole process. The most important thing is the quality of the stones, because this has the greatest effect on the sparkle. Diamonds are a classic, tough, practical choice, but recently we’ve had more requests for coloured stones like sapphires, which are available in every colour of the rainbow. Repurposing heirloom jewellery has increasingly grown in popularity too.”
✓ Propose… on a punt
“We get about 50 requests a year for our Proposal Punting tours,” says Emma Wynne at Rutherford’s Punting. “They’re amazing events to be part of, and we send a photographer out on a punt in advance to wait near the Bridge of Sighs. As the punt containing the couple approaches, their guide offers to take a photo of them under the bridge. They pass over their own smartphone, he puts it on video mode to capture the moment and our photographer takes a ‘papped’ photo of the proposal.
“It’s all done as a complete surprise.” Rutherford’s have been conducting these romantic tours since 2016. “People travel here to propose on the Cam from quite far away. I think there’s something about being on the water, cocooned on a vessel together, away from the world. It’s very romantic – a wonderful moment.”
✓ Pick a date and venue
“It’s never too early to book your dream wedding venue,” says Jane Price at South Farm, near Royston. “Most venues will be happy to confirm a booking at least two or three years in advance, and of course you’ll have the best choice of dates the earlier you book. Make a shortlist of your top venues and visit them all. That way you’ll know when you find ‘the one’!”
The stretch tent at Provenance Kitchen
Having an idea of guest numbers will help narrow down your choice. “Venue fatigue can be a real problem for couples,” adds Stephanie Jack from Provenance Kitchen. “We often hear from brides and grooms who have visited upwards of seven different venues. They all want their day to feel unique and not like a conveyor-belt wedding. At the moment we’re seeing a trend for smaller weddings that focus on amazing food and quality service.”
✓ Book the caterer, florist and photographer
South Farm/Nataly J Photography
“It’s lovely to showcase local food and wines at your wedding,” says Aimie Edwards at Saffron Grange vineyard. “Many English sparkling wines have won international awards, and are known for being fruit-forward with lovely, bright acidity. This is perfect to enjoy as an aperitif, pair with canapés and toast the happy couple. We always recommend our Classic Cuvée, although it’s lovely to serve a Sparkling Rosé too, both ideal for a spring or summer wedding.”
✓ Find the dress and suit
Explore bridal boutiques such as Burr Bridal for the perfect gown and consider bespoke suits for a timeless look. For mothers of the bride and groom, outfit choice is almost as important… “Don’t bring too many people with you when choosing your outfit,” advises Rebecca Furbank, at womenswear retailer Anne Furbank in Buckden. “Too many opinions can end up with you being more confused! You need to feel comfortable in the outfit, so you can just relax and enjoy the day.”
“As mother of the bride or groom it’s always best to blend or contrast with the bridesmaid colour,” says Sue Ross, Director at Cream of Royston. “Shoes and bag should match, but contrast or tone with the outfit. A hatinator elevates the outfit into something extra special; it’s a good idea for the mums to discuss and agree what they plan to wear in advance.”
✓ Save the date, with an RSVP
Once your venue and key details are secured, send out your invitations. This ensures guests have plenty of notice, especially for destination weddings in and around Cambridge. All that remains is to experience and treasure your special day!
Local love stories
Red velvet cake at Fitzbillies:
Connie Gillespie and Danny Coleman celebrated their engagement at Fitzbillies in January 2025. “We met while studying at Emmanuel College in 2019-20,” says Connie. “Danny has been coming to Fitzbillies since he was a child, so it has become one of our regular haunts, and is where I bring my parents whenever they visit.
“We love Fitzbillies, so of course we wanted to celebrate here. We’re getting married in 2026 and are already planning our wedding cake. Fitzbillies’ red velvet cake is Danny’s favourite, so it will be a three-tier, red velvet creation!”
Elegance and cathedral views:
Jess and Gavin Rowland tied the knot at The Old Hall Ely in January 2017. “We’d been together 12 years when Gav proposed. He was planning a romantic trip to the seaside, only it rained, so we got there, turned around and went back to our local pub for lunch. I had no idea he was going to propose later – it came as a complete surprise. “We chose The Old Hall because it’s so beautiful and they do everything for you, which takes away the stress. You can see Ely Cathedral from the gardens – a stunning backdrop for photos in winter, otherwise it could look quite bleak.
“Our photographer Liz Greenhalgh was absolutely fantastic and so friendly. She became a natural part of the wedding party, and even helped my mum get me into my dress – an advantage to having a female photographer! She made us all feel so comfortable.”
Magic at South Farm:
Charli and Dom Spencer had a fantastic wedding reception at South Farm in June 2023. “Dom and I met through a mutual friend, Michael, in 2015,” says Charli. “That summer, Michael hosted a party at his mum’s in Cambridge, where Dom and I had an instant connection: our eyes met across a circle of people playing Cards Against Humanity when we both made a comment about The Lord of the Rings. We chatted all night, and I serenaded him with a very bad rendition of Noah and the Whale’s Five Years Time on a ukulele!
“Dom proposed on our five-year anniversary. We had our ceremony at a local church, drinks reception in the lovely South Farm gardens, an amazing meal in their Tudor Barn and dancing in the Horse Barn, with its funky light-up floor! Dom and I are big film nerds, so we had themed tables, featuring Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. It was so fun to plan! Later in the evening, the dance floor was so much fun. We provided inflatable lightsabers and instruments, so we got some brilliant photos. It was the happiest, most emotional, joyful and wonderful day!”
Lucky horseshoes:
Cambridge Edition editor Liz Potter and her husband Andrew got married on a sunny Wednesday in October 2010. “Andrew and I met through a website called Dating Direct,” she says. “Our first proper date was at The Three Horseshoes, Madingley. Andrew is so funny and kind, I realised early on he’d be excellent marriage material… so I gave him my door key within a month!
“After a few years’ living together he proposed to me, sitting on the sofa, and we went to Harriet Kelsall’s to find a suitable diamond sparkler to seal the deal. We married at Shire Hall registry office and had the reception at The Three Horseshoes, where chef Richard Stokes served up an amazing feast. As it was an autumn wedding, we had hedgerow fruits in champagne cocktails and my bouquet was in burgundy flowers, by Emily Tallulah. It was truly one of the best days of our lives.”
